Method and apparatus for controlling the rejoining of thread in an open ended spinning machine

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for the rejoinder of a broken thread in an open end spinning unit. The thread is formed from fibers fed to a rotating spinning turbine and withdrawn therefrom to a winding device. The continuity of the withdrawn thread is sensed and a signal provided on interruption thereof. A control mechanism responsive to the signal is provided for establishing a predetermined sequence of operation of said spinning unit for rejoining the thread. The turbine is movably mounted, so that the control unit on receipt of a signal first shifts the turbine from a working position into a position where spinning is arrested and to thereafter initiate the rejoinder operation and maintain the operation for a predetermined time interval to complete said sequence. The control mechanism may be provided for individual or a plurality of units. Other sensing means monitoring the operation of the turbine are included.

United States Patent [191 Bartling et al.

[ Apr. 29, 1975 [73] Assignee: SKF Kugellagerfabriken GmbH,

Schweinfurt, Germany 22 Filed: Aug. 1, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 384,412

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 1 Aug. 5, 1972 Germany 2238610[52] U.S. Cl 57/58.95; 57/34 R; 57/81; 57/83; 57/156 [51] Int. Cl. D01h1/12;D01h H28 [58] Field of Search 57/34 R, 58.89-58.95, 57/78, 80. 81,83, 156

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,354.626 11/1967 Cizek cta1. 57/58.89 X 3,375,649 4/1968 Bures et al 57/58.91 3,455,097 7/1969Rajnoba et a1 57/58.95 3,492,804 2/1970 Landwchrkamp et a1. 57/58.89 X3,511,045 5/1970 Burcs et a1. 57/58.9l

3,680,300 8/1972 Landwchrkamp ct al..... 57/58.95 X

3.685.267 8/1972 Landwehrkamp et a1. 57/58.95 X 3.695.021 10/1972Ormerod et al. 57/58.9l 3.756.007 9/1973 Barlling 57/58.9l 3,760,5769/1973 Le Chatelier et al 57/58.89 X 3,760,577 9/1973 Kibara et a1.57/58.89 X 3,782,089 l/1974 Landwehrkamp et a1. 57/58.95 X

Primary Examiner-John W. Huckert Assistant E.raminerCharles GorensteinAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Murray Schaffer [57] ABSTRACT Method andapparatus for the rejoinder of a broken thread in an open end spinningunit. The thread is formed from fibers fed to a rotating spinningturbine and withdrawn therefrom to a winding device. The continuity ofthe withdrawn thread is sensed and a signal provided on interruptionthereof. A control mechanism responsive to the signal is provided forestablishing a predetermined sequence of operation of said spinning unitfor rejoining the thread. The turbine is movably mounted, so that thecontrol unit on receipt of a signal first shifts the turbine from aworking position into a position where spinning is arrested and tothereafter initiate the rejoinder operation and maintain the operationfor a predetermined time interval to complete said sequence. The controlmechanism may be provided for individual or a plurality of units. Othersensing means monitoring the operation of the turbine are included.

15 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THEREJOINING OF THREAD IN AN OPEN ENDED SPINNING MACHINE BACKGROUND OFINVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus forthe spindleless spinning of yarn and threads and particularly to amethod and apparatus for the operation and control of the stepsnecessary to rejoin the thread and recommence spinning after a threadbreakage.

In spindleless spinning machines, fibers are picked from a roving orsliver by a picker wheel and fed to a spinning turbine where, undercentrifugal action, the fibers are spun into the thread. The thread ispulled by a winding device and deposited on a spool or cone. Frequentthread or yarn breakage occurs as the thread is being pulled. Amonitoring device employing a sensor is arranged adjacent the movingthread to determine the threads continuity. The sensing of a break inthe thread causes the monitoring device to produce a signal whichactuates a control mechanism setting into operation a sequence of stepswhich stops the fiber feed, spinning, and the other operations to permitthe thread to be then rejoined so that operation can be recommenced.

Different processes have become known to define the steps of operationand particularly the steps of rejoining the thread so that it becomesmore economical. In the German patent DOS No. 2,008,142, an automaticrejoining device is prescribed functioning for several spinning turbinesaligned adjacent to each other in a common bank. In the patent therejoining device is carried by the frame of the machine so that it ismovable from one spinning point to another and is stopped at that pointshowing a thread breakage. The movement of the mechanism and itsperformance in rejoining the thread is automatically controlled inresponse to a coordinated control unit. However, the design of thisdevice is relatively complex and troublesome and liable to frequentbreakdown. The mechanism has an added drawback in that thread breakagecan only be rectified at a single spinning point on the machine at anyone time. In the event thread breakages frequently occur simultaneously,as when materials that are difficult to be spun are employed, or wherein the turbine or suction control of the turbine is unsuitable or breaksdown the rejoining operation requires a relatively long time since itmust include the time of movement of the device from point to point.Thus the economy of open ended spinning machines having such rejoiningmechanism is greatly impaired and the goals which are set for suchmachines are often not met.

In another system shown in the Swiss Pat. No. 481,232 and itscorresponding US. Pat. No. 3,455,085, the sequence of steps requiredonce a thread breakage is sensed, such as stopping the fiber feed,stopping and cleaning the spinning chamber, restarting the spinningchamber with reinitiated fiber feed, as well as the return of thefinished thread to the spinning chamber for rejoinder with the spinningfibers including an appropriate circuit for winding and storing a lengthof thread until the latter is rewound at production speed, is allcommenced and terminated automatically through the use of a coordinatedcontrol device. According to this system it is possible to eliminateseveral thread breakages simultaneously. Nevertheless, such a systemrequires considerable outlay in switching and control devices at eachspinning point so that a considerable expenditure in cost ofinstallation and maintenance occurs.

In addition to the above noted drawbacks, the above mentioned deviceshave an even greater drawback in that they do not take into account anddo not sense the cause of the initial thread breakage. While the devicesare capable of rejoining the thread at predetermined points they make noeffort whatsoever to determine and eliminate the cause for the actualbreakage and the cause for subsequent breakage. In this way damage mayoccur to various parts of the spinning devices as a whole particularlywhen multiple spinning devices are arranged in a single bank so thatcommon drive mechanisms are employed for the spinning turbines, pickerrollers, etc. for each of the individual units. In general these drivedevices are allowed to continue to remain in contact with the spinningchamber and picker rollers, etc. and to be reactivated even though thefault causing the thread break has not been eliminated. A particularproblem arises when the spinning turbine is jammed or blocked due toexcessive masses of fiber lodging inside the spinning chamber or whenthe fiber jams the picker roller so that it no longer rotates properly.Even though the thread may be rejoined the rejoining operation is notcomplete until these faults are eliminated since otherwise the drivemeans which would drive the spinning turbine and/or picker roller whichin most cases takes the form of tangentially guided driving belts, donot properly actuate the turbine or picker rollers. The driving beltsare constantly operated so that unless the turbine and picker rollersare actuated the belts create a great deal of friction and generate aninordinate amount of heat. This leads to frequent breakdowns andconsiderable damage to the parts of the spinning units.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus forcontrolling the rejoining operation of the thread in anopen ended spindleless spinning machine which overcomes thedisadvantages and defects of the prior art devices.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedmethod and apparatus which is simple and provides uncomplicatedequipment and is economical in use whereby the rejoining operation ofthe thread in a spindleless spinning machine may be simply effected.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedmethod and apparatus for rejoining the thread in a spindleless spinningmachine so that the rejoining can be made at any stage of the spinningprocess.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus for controlling the rejoining operation of several spindlelessspinning units arranged along a spindle bank for simultaneous working oroperation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved controlmechanism and device for the simultaneous control of one or more of thespinning units in a spindleless spinning machine so that for each of thespindle units the thread'breakage can be sensed and the rejoinderoperation can be commenced, carried on and terminated independently andin whole or in part. Specifically, the control device may initiate therejoinder operation at any stage of the knitting process so as toeliminate the repetition of steps which have already been completed andthus effectively simplify the rejoinder operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing forthe spinning turbine of each of the spinning units which housing iscapable of being moved so as to engage or disengage the turbine from itsdrive means on signal from the control mechanism.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a housing forthe turbines of each spinning unit which is provided with a cover memberso that the turbine spinning unit may be open for the purposes ofcleaning the chamber of the turbine, which cover simultaneous with itsopening causes, the housing to disengage the spinning turbine from itsdrive means.

The aforementioned objects, other objects, together with numerousadvantages will be seen from the following disclosure of the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In accordance with the present invention a methodand apparatus for the control of the rejoining operation of the threadin an automatic spindleless spinning machine is obtained by locating thespinning turbine so that it may be selectively moved into and out of aworking position in which the fibers fed to it are spun into a threadand from which the thread is continuously withdrawn. An interruption ofthe withdrawn thread is sensed and a signal is produced which is fed toa control mechanism which is capable of setting into motion apredetermined sequence by which the spinning turbine is moved out of itsworking position and the sequence of rejoining the thread is initiated,maintained and terminated by operation in whole or in part of therejoining cycle.

The method and apparatus of the present invention permits the rejoiningof the thread to be actually performed either automatically by suitablemechanisms attached to the spinning unit or manually by the handoperator. Each of the spinning units is provided with means forindependently and individually moving its turbine out of engagement withits drive means independently of the operation of the other units in thebank and preferably first stopping the picker roller and the supply offibers to the turbine and then after a time lag actually stopping andarresting the spinning chamber. Thus, if for instance the spinning unitis set up for rejoinder by hand, the common control mechanism actuatesthe movement of the spinning turbine out of working position stoppingthe fiber feed and arresting its rotation. The spinning unit remains inthis shut down position so that the operator may perform by hand thecleaning of the turbine and the rejoining of the thread with the spunfiber. The spinning unit may then be returned either by the common orcentral control means or by hand to its working position and thespinning unit be returned to its automatic working.

On the other hand the automatic operation can be effected after thearrival of a signal from the sensing device to the control mechanism.The control mechanism automatically shifts the spinning turbine into itsintermediate position where it is disengaged from its drive means andsubsequently activates a cleansing mechanism whereby the interiorchamber of the spinning 'turbine is cleansed. After cleansing has beencompleted the control mechanism may pass a signal to an indicatingdevice which indicates that the spinning device is ready forthesubsequent steps of the rejoining operation. The spinning turbineremains in its closed down or open intermediate position making itpossible to carry out the actual rejoining operation with the requiredreverse movement of the thread and the subsequent rewinding by hand withthe spun fiber in the spinning turbine. The recommencement of the fiberfeed to the spinning chamber and the restarting of the spinning turbineto working speed can be then carried out in the well known manner uponthe return shifting of the spinning device into engagement with thedrive means.

Finally, the present invention also permits the fully automaticrejoinder of the thread after a break has occurred. in this instance thecontrol mechanism may be advantageously designed so that after thearrival of a fault signal from the sensing device, the movement of thespinning turbine from its working position into its disengaged position,the subsequent cleansing of the spinning chamber, and a single orrepeated movement of the spinning turbine from its disengaged positioninto its working position can be automatically effected simultaneouslywith the reversing of the already spun thread and the rejoinder of itsend to the thread being spun in the chamber of the spinning turbine.These operations can be commenced, carried out and terminated in apredetermined sequence at predetermined intervals either from thebeginning of a cycle or from any point within the cycle. In order toavoid damage that may occur through the stopping of the spinning turbineor the'picker roller'feeding the fibers, it is advisable that thesequence of stages of the rejoining operation, as triggered by the faultsignal of the sensing device, be carried out by the controlled mechanismin a predetermined sequence and at predetermined intervals, which may berepeated in a predetermined num her until the broken thread is joined.At the expiration of the predetermined or preset number of repetitionsof the cycle without the proper rejoining and winding of the thread, thespinning turbine is shifted into its open or intermediate position outof engagement with its drive means and is allowed to remain in thisintermediate position, producing a single being passed to an indicatingdevice capable of being seen by the operator. As a result the continuingcause creating the thread breakage and preventing the proper rejoinderof the thread can be determined by the operator and rectified beforedamage is done to any individual components of the individual componentsof the spinning unit.

To carry out the method according to the present invention each of thespinning turbines is located in a pivotable housing which housing can bemoved into a working position where the spinning turbine engages itsdrive means and an intermediate position wherein the spinning turbinedisengages from the drive means. The individual control element isactuated by a pulse received from the common control mechanism which iscoordinated to each of thespinning unit. If necessary, in addition to acontrol element for each of the spinning units, the open end spinningmachine comprising a plurality of spinning units can be provided with acommon control element and several monitoring devices which are thenconnected in a coordinate manner with the control mechanism.

The control element which activates the shifting or movement of thehousing locating the spinning turbine is preferably electricallycontrolled through an impulsive derived from the control mechanism. Thecontrol element may be a mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic motor such asa piston or cylinder or an electrical component such as a solenoid orthe like which would have an arm capable of moving the housing orspinning turbine as a compact unit into its corresponding working andintermediate inactive positions. Preferably the working and inactivepositions are defined by limit switches which are connected to thecommon control mechanism provide coordinated operation of the otherelements of the operating cycle.

In order to avoid damage to individual portions of the spinning unit,i.e., spinning turbine, the feed picker roll and the like, when thespinning turbine or the picker roll itself are not free from continualbreakdown, it is preferred in accordance with the present invention notonly to provide each of the spinning units with a monitoring devicesensing the continuity of the finished thread but to a second monitoringdevice acting independently of it to sense the speed and/or temperatureat which the spinning turbine and the picker roller op erates. Bothsensing devices are connected to the common control mechanism so that bysuch an arrangement should the sensing device monitoring the travel ofthe thread break down, or if in the path of the spun thread no fault ordefect would be indicated, the monitoring device connected to thespinning turbine or the picker roller sensing its speed and/ortemperature would report a corresponding signal to the controlmechanism. In response to this signal the spinning turbine would becaused to move out of its working position and to its intermediateposition wherein spinning is arrested. In this intermediate position ofthe spinning turbine and the picker roller are both separated from theirdriving components so that the fault or defect causing the continualmisoperation of the spinning unit can be determined and rectified. Ifnecessary, the sensing device monitoring the path of the thread can beconnected via a first priority circuit with the control mechanism sothat primarily the signal derived from a broken thread is passed to thecommon control mechanism without interference from the signal derivedfrom the second sensing device and that the signal derived from thesecond sensing device would be passed to the common control mechanism ina coordinated manner only after the elapse of a certain interval or acertain number of attempts at automatic rectification of the brokenthread.

In order to make the individual spinning units of the entire spinningbank simple and to maintain the total outlay of the machines at as low acost as possible it is proposed according to the present invention thatall the spinning units of the machine should be provided with a commoncontrol mechanism. The input of the common control mechanism is derivedfrom the individual sensing devices or control elements monitoring eachof the individual spinning units. The control mechanism includes as itscomponents a plurality of timers, switch mechanisms, circuits, andindicating devices with connecting leads so as to bring about an outputwhich is the function of the thread sensing devices, the controlelements, and the varying other parameters of the individual spinningunits as well as the predetermined sequence of stages and events at anygiven moment relating to the program for rejoining broken threads, aswell as whether such program stages are completed. The common controlmechanism can be connected simultaneously with several spinning units sothat the time required to obtain the rejoinder of the threads in two ormore spinning units can be greatly reduced. The single control mechanismbeing capable of monitoring several devices simultaneously and receivingsignals occurring simultaneously or within a relatively short periodfrom each unit will provide an output command signal to several unitssimultaneously or within a predetermined period of time less than thetime necessary to effect the rejoinder of the thread in any one spinningunit. Thus, the rejoinder of thread in any individual spinning units maybe initiated, maintained and terminated from any point in the spinningoperation and in sequences which can be commenced simultaneously or withoverlapping time intervals or from preset predetermined.

To provide a proper signal to the common control mechanism which isindicative of a break in the thread occurring at any given spinningunit, the control mechanism is provided with an input from a measuringpoint scanner or stepping circuit. This latter circuit receives signalsfrom each of the sensing, monitoring and control devices of eachspinning unit and successively scans the signal lead lines as a functionof a timing element. On determination of a fault signal the scannerpasses a further signal pulse to a set of logic circuits by which thecyclic onward stepping of the measuring point scanner, in the presenceof a fault signal, is interrupted for a given interval. During thisinterval, the logic circuit simultaneously activates a set of timers andswitch mechanisms to set or command into motion the specific steps ofthe rejoinder operation in the corre sponding spinning unit from whichthe fault signal is derived via a connecting lead from the output sideof the control mechanism. Thereupon, thescanner may again be stepped todetermine a fault in another spinning unit, and the command signalrelative to it may be created. Logic circuits are preferred in order toavoid the unnecessary actuation of the timers and switch mechanisms ofthe control mechanism and thus the triggering of a subsequent commandfor initiation of the rejoinder operation during the period in which theinitial signal has activated an initial rejoinder sequence. The logiccircuits store the fact that a spinning unit is under a rejoinderoperation even if the scanner, on a successive sweep, senses thecontinued presence of a fault. This allows the carrying out of a singlerejoinder cycle as a. result of only the first and initial report of athread breakage. On the other hand, the logic circuits, to provideeconomy and simplicity, have only a finite number of commandarrangements or circuits so that in the event a predefined number ofspinning units are simultaneously engaged in the rejoinder operation,the further cyclical shift of the measuring point scanner will beinterrupted. So long as all sets of the timers and switch mechanisms inthe control mechanism are thus activated, the scanner will store thefault signal of the next spinning unit so that interference with thecourse of the thread rejoinder of the preceding units is avoided. Once apreceding spinning unit is cleared, the scanner will be stepped andshifted to resume the above operation.

As regards the design and choice of the individual switching mechanismsand control elements forming the control mechanisms, these can beselected in accof= dance with each speific operation and may be capableof many varied modifications within the scape ofthfi present invention.Likewise as regards the design of the control or actuating Elementmoving the spinning d= vice there need also be no limitation. Themounting of the spinning turbine itself which can be pivoted orshiftable in any well known manner as a self contained enclosed unitfrom its working position into an intermediate position can also bemodified and changed as desired.

Full details of the present invention are given in the encloseddescription and are illustrated in the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a spinning machine showing a pluralityof spinning units in bank,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a single spinning unit of themachine shown in FIG. 1 in working position,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the spinning unit inintermediate open or disengaged position,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of an individual spinning unit inworking position,

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the individual spinning unitin its intermediate disengaged position, and with the cover of the unitfully open showing access, therein,

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the upper portion of the spinningunit shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a view of a spinning unit similar to that of FIG. 2 showing amodified form of the device,

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the spinning unit partially in sectionshowing the modification of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the control mechanism for the spinningunit according to FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As seen in FIG. 1 the spinning machine towhich the present invention is directed comprises a plurality ofspinning devices mounted in uniform spaced relationship on a machineframe 1. Each of the individual spinning devices comprises a spinningunit 2 mounted above a container 3 from which a roving or silver 4 offibers are withdrawn by a feed device 5. The feed device 5 comprises apicker roll 6 which picks at the end of the silver and dissolves thesilver into a plurality of descrete fibers. The picker roller 6 releasesthe fibers and passes them via a duct 7 into the interior chamber of thespinning turbine 8 where they are then twisted and spun together in theform of a thread 4a which is drawn off from the spinning turbine by adevice 9 to a winding mechanism 10 to be wound upon a cylindrical orconical core as may be desired. Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3 there isarranged between the winding device 10 and the drawing off device 9 asensing mechanism 11 which monitors the continuity of the thread 4a.Further, the spinning turbine 8 and the feeding device 5 are commonlymounted as a unit and frequently referred to as the spinning unit perse.

Each of the feeding devices 5 comprises a pair of nip rollers whichclamp the sliver 4 and pass it at a predetermined speed to the pickerroller 6. The drive of the connected through an electromagneticallyacting coupling or clutch 14 with a driving shaft 15 connected to thepair of nip rollers forming the feed device 5. The picker roller 6 andthe spinning turbine 8 are driven via tangentially arranged drivingbelts 16 and 17 which are driven by a motor (not shown) via pulleys 18and 19 (see FIG. 1 The belts l6 and 17 are adapted to engage shaftextensions 20 and 21 of the picker roller 6 and the spinning turbine 8respectively. In this manner all of the spinning units are actuatedsimultaneously and in unison with each other.

The drawing off of the finished thread 4a takes place by means of thedrawing off device 9 which comprises a delivery roller 9a passinglengthwise through the machine and a pressure roller 9b which is adaptedto be pressed upon it. The drawing off device 9 is spaced from thespinning unit 2, the thread 4a being withdrawn or pulled by therespective rollers 9a and 9b to the winding device 10. The windingdevice 10 comprises a driven roller which is provided with means servingto guide the thread in a helical pattern. The thread is wound on a yarnpackage 10a which freely rests on the roller pulling the thread so as tobe movable conjointly with it. The yarn package is slidably mounted on alever support 22 which is pivoted in a bearing 23 rigidly fixed on thetop of the machine. Thus as the yarn package 10a increases in size withthe winding of the yarn on it the support 22 allows the adoption of thepackage to the varying diameter.

Each of the spinning units 2 as seen in FIG. 3 is provided with asensing device 11 through which the thread 4a is drawn. The sensingdevice 11 comprises a feeler 11a or similar sensing device, which isconnected by a line 24 with a control mechanism 25 mounted inassociation with the individual spinning unit 2. The magnetic clutchcoupling .14 which controls the operation of the sliver feed rollers 5is connected via a line 26 to the output of the control mechanism 25.Mounted adjacent the spinning unit 2 is an actuating member 27 which isconnected via line 28 to the control mechanism 25. Since each spinningunit 2 is provided with a control mechanism 25 and its associatedsensing devices and actuator mechanisms the stopping of the spinningoperation of the unit can be relatively quickly obtained in the event ofa broken thread. This takes place after thefeeler 1 1a senses thediscontinuity of the thread 40 and produces a signal which passes viathe line 24 to the control mechanism 25. The control mechanism in turnpasses a signal via lead 28- to the actuating element 27 which onreceipt of such a signal pulse shifts the spinning unit 2 out of itsworking position as seen in FIG. 2 wherein its spinning turbine andpicker roller are in engagement with the tangential belts into theintermediate position shown in the dotted lines in FIG. 3'wherein thesame spinning turbine and picker rollers are disengaged from thetangential belts. At the same time a signal is passed to the coupling 14via the lead 26 which disconnects the feed rollers from the drivemechanism comprising the shaft 12. Preferably the impulse to thecoupling 14 is timed to be slightly ahead of the impulse to the actuator27 so that the movement of the sliver 4 is interrupted before thespinning unit '2 is opened. In this position the spinning unit can becleaned either by hand or by automatically and rejoinder of the thread40 to the fibers in the spinning turbine can also be made either by handor automatically.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 the design of the spinning unit 2 is shown. Thespinning unit comprises a base housing part 2a pivotally mounted by abolt 29 to the frame 1 of the machine. The base housing part 2a mountsthe bearing housing 8a of the spinning turbine as well as the bearinghousing 6a for the picker roller 6. The details of the bearing housingsand the bearings as well as the rollers and of the spinning turbines areomitted for the sake of clarity since they are in fact conventional andcommon in this art. The actuator 27 is mounted at the upper end of theframe 1 and comprises a conventional pneumatic or hydraulic pistonand/or electrically operated solenoid. The actuator includes a piston 30from which extends a shaft 30a adapted to act against the rear surfaceof the base 2a. Interposed in the line 28 from the control mechanism isa switch 31 which may be in the form of a magnetic hydraulic orpneumatic device depending upon the control element 27. In the event asignal is received from the sensing device 11 via the control mechanism25 the valve switch 31 causes the piston to move the ram 30a outwardlyagainst the base 2a pivoting the base 2a about the pivot pin 29 from theposition shown in FIG. 4 to the intermediate position shown in the solidlines of FIG. 5. The upper end of the base 2a is provided with a bolt 32passing freely through the base 2a and fits into the machine frame 1. Aspring 33 surrounds the bolt 32 and normally biases the base 2a into theclosed position shown in FIG. 4. The actuation of the actuator element27 shifting the base 2a as seen in FIG. 5 takes place against the normalbias of the spring 33.

In order to clean the chamber of the spinning turbine 8 by hand, thehousing of the spinning unit 2 is provided with a cover 2b which is alsopivoted about the pin 29 fixed to the lower end of the machine frame.This cover 2b is swingable with respect to the base 2a into the positionshown in the dotted lines in FIG. 5 by manually operating a lockingdevice generally depicted by the elements 2c through 2i which activatesa coupling connecting the housing cover 2b and the housing base 2a. Thecoupling 35 comprises a two armed lever pivoted to the base 2a. The twoarmed lever has one of its arms 35a forked or slotted. The forked armreceives between its shanks a bolt 36 which is attached to the cover 2b.The arm opposite the forked arm of the two armed lever 35 is provided atits end with a roller 37 which is adapted to bear against the machineframe. On opening the cover 2b, it is first caused to pivot with respectto the base 2a causing the pin 36 to swing the forked arms 35a of thetwo armed lever 35 outwardly and downwardly as seen in the dotted linesof FIG. 5 thus opening the interior of the housing and the spinningturbine to view. As the cover 2b is swung to its open position the innerend of the two armed lever 35 carrying the roller 37 abuts against thesurface of the machine frame 1 and because the two armed lever 35 ispivoted about the pivot pin 34 fixed to the base 2a this furtherswinging causes the base 2a to shift or pivot outwardly with respect tothe machine frame 1 moving the spinning unit 2 into its intermediateposition wherein the spinning turbine and the rollers 6 are disengagedfrom the drive belts 16 and 17 as seen in FIG. 5. In this way when thecover 2b is opened in order to gain access to the spinning turbine andto the picker rollers 6 for their cleansing, the spinning unit isautomatically disengaged from its drive means so that formation of thethread can be interrupted and the spinning unit handled without fear ofinjury to the operator.

As will be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 the spinning unit 2 is supported andbiased by the spring 33 in its working position. The means for lockingthe cover 2b to the housing part 2a is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The meanscomprises an extension'2c connected to the cover 2b which is accessibleto the machine operator. Between the extension 2c and the cover 2b is abar 2f which is pivotally mounted about a bolt 2d and is biased by aspring 2e. The bolt 2d is arranged substantially parallel to therotating shaft of the spinning turbine 8. The bar 2f is provided with ahole 2g through which the slotted head 2h of a rotatable bolt 2iextends. The bolt 21' is fixedly attached by a set screw to the base 2aof the housing of the spinning unit. The spring 2e normally biases thebar 2f to the left as seen in FIG. 6 so that the edge of its opening 2gfits within the slotted collar 2]: of the pin 2i.

When the cover 2b is to be manually moved into the position shown in theclot dash lines of FIG. 5, the bar 2f is slewed or shifted in thedirection of arrow A as seen in FIG. 6. It is thus possible for the hole23 of the bar 2f to move out of the grooved collar 2h so that the bar 2fcan be freely lifted over the top end of the bolt 2i by moving theextension 2c directly forward as seen in FIG. 6. This swings the .cover2b relative to the base 2a of the housing and opens the forward end ofthe spinning unit. At the same time the pin 36 attached to the interiorof the cover 2b causes the two armed lever 35 to swing outwardly anddownwardly. The two armed lever 35 swings about the pin 34 causing theroller 37 to engage the bearing surface of the machine frame 1 thusinstigating the shifting and pivoting outwardly of the base member 2a.Since the spinning turbine 8 and the picker rollers 6 are mounted inbearings fixed to the base 2a these units also swing in a clockwisefashion as seen in FIG. 5 disengaging themselves from the surfaces ofthe tangential drive belts 16 and 17. "The arrangement is of such anature that an opening of the cover 2b, movement of the spinning unit toits intermediate disengaged and inoperative position takes place at alltimes. A braking member 38 is mounted spaced above the tangential belt17 so that on swinging movement of the base 2a carrying with it thespinning turbine 8, the extension shaft 21 of the spinning turbine iscaused to engage the braking member 38. Thus immediately upon opening ofthe spinning unit and placing the unit in its intermediate position thespinning turbine is braked. The backward shifting of the cover 2b andbase member 2a not only closes the cover 2b but also places the spinningunits in their operative position.

On pivoting of the spinning unit 2 or its base housing portion 2a thesliver feed device 5 is also stopped since the formation of the thread4a is interrupted. The driving shaft 15 is detached from its drive shaft12 by interruption of the coupling 14 through a signal derived from thecontrol unit 25. The spinning chamber 8 is positively braked by beingforced against the brake pad 38 while the picking roller 6 will slowlyrotate to a stop since it too is being lifted from the drive belt 16. Onpivoting the spinning unit 2 or the base 2a back into its workingposition the shaft 21 of the spinning turbine 8 and the shaft 20 of the'picker roller 6 are again forced against the driving belts 16 and 17and accelerated to the predetermined speed of rotation necessary for theformation of the thread 4a. At this time rejoining of the thread 4a tothe fibers being spun in the turbine 8 can be made manually. As thethread 4a is pulled downwardly or reversed in its direction toward thespinning chamber of the turbine 8 it again passes the sensor 11. Asignal may then be forwarded to the control mechanism 25 to reengage thecoupling 14 so as to supply the sliver 4 and the supply of fiber to thepicking roller 6 so that sufficient fiber is fed to the spinning turbineto reform the thread. Thus, the driving of the feed device and therewinding of the thread 4a may be easily provided. If it is desired toprovide for the automatic re.- joining of the thread the apparatus asdepicted in FIG. 8 may be provided. In this embodiment the spinning unithas a sensing device 11 which comprises a sensing element 11a which ispreferably a photocell rather than the feeler of the previous embodimentand a cutting and clamping device which acts to hold the end of thebroken thread and cut its end into square shape so that a properrejoining splice can be made. Each of these spinning units is providedwith a control mechanism 41) which is connected by lines 24 and 24a tothe sensing head 11a and the cutting and splicing device of the sensor.The control mechanism 40 is also connected to the actuating element 27by the lead line 28. The switch valve shown in the preceding embodimentmay be used in this embodiment although it is not shown in FIG. 8. As inthe previous embodiment a lead 26 passes from the control mechanism 40to the magnetic coupling 14 which controls the rotation of the rollersof the feed device 5.

During the operation of the machine, the thread 4a is drawn off from thespinning turbine and passes through the sensing device 11. It iswithdrawn by the driven roller 9a traversing the length of the machinein front of each of the individual spinning units. A pressure roller 9bis caused to rest on the driven roller 9a with a predetermined pressureso as to pull the thread upwardly for feeding by the driven threadwinding roller 10 onto the yarn package 10a. In the event of a brokenthread the sensor lla of the sensing and monitoring device 11 produces acorresponding signal which is passed via the lead 24 to the controlmechanism 40, by which both the deactivation of the coupling 14 and theactivation of the control actuator 27 is initiated in the predeterminedtime sequence necessary to first stop the feeding of the sliver 4 andthen opening of the spinning unit 2 by pivoting of the base 2a into theposition corresponding to that shown in FIG. 5. Simultaneously a signalis developed which controls a carrying arm 41 which carries a pressureroller 90 adapted to press the thread 4a against the roller 9b. Therollers 9b and 9c have substantially the same diameter. The signal isforwarded to a solenoid type actuator 42 which is connected to thecarrying arm 41 .via a lead 43 connected to the control mechanism 40.The carrier arm 41 causes the pressure roller 9c to move the firstpressure roller 9b from engagement with a driven roller 9a so as to stopthe movement of the thread 4a. A braking device, not shown in thedrawings, may be used at this time to stop the movement of the rollers9b and 9c. At the same time that the pair of rollers 9b and 9c isstopped a position is reached in which neither of the rollers 9b or 90rest on the driven rollers 9a. The driven roller 9a continues to revolvehowever. At this point the movement of the thread 4a has been braked andthe opened in the position shown in dotted lines as seen in FIG. 8. Theinterior of the spinning unit may be cleansed and the cause of the breakrectified.

Only when all of the stages of the operation provided by the controldevice 40 have been initiated or completed, including the cleaning ofthe spinning chamber 8, is the spinning unit 2 moved by the control unit40 and the actuating element 27 back into its working position as shownin FIG. 2. This occurs by deactivating the actuating element 27 andallowing the bias of the spring 33 to close the housing of the spinningunit. A limit switch 146 connected by a lead 147 to the controlmechanism 40 senses the position of the housing of the spinning unit 2and produces a signal to the control mechanism 40 when the housing isproperly closed. This signals the fact that the return of the thread tothe spinning chamber can be made so that rejoining can actually berecommenced. Reversal of the thread to the spinning chamber occurs bymoving the pair of rollers 9b and 9c which is holding the thread 4abetween them by the lifting or actuating device 42 which is connected bythe lead 43 through the control unit for a short time into a position inwhich the roller abuts against the driving roller 9a. In this manner theroller 9c rotates counterclockwise to that of the first roller 9b andthus reverses the direction of the thread 4a. The not shown brakev is ofcourse released permitting the rotation of the roller 9c. The thread 4areverses itself and moves downwardly through the sensor mechanism 11until it passes the sensing head 11a. On passing the sensor 11a acorresponding signal is produced to the control unit indicating thepresence of a thread capable of being joined by the newly spun fibers.The reversal of the thread 4a lags in time behind the closing of thespinning unit 2 and the reactivation of the feed rollers 5, the pickerroller 6 and the spinning turbine 8. Thus the spinning of the newly fedfibers precedes by a small interval the return of the thread 4a thuspermitting the turbine to accumulate a sufficient length of thread whichcan be spliced to the previously withdrawn and formed thread 4a.Immediately upon the resplicing of the thread 4a a signal is producedwhich returns the actuating or lifting means 42 into its workingposition so that the lever 41 is returned to the position shown in thefull or continuous line of FIG. 8. As this occurs the roller 9b is againcaused to abut against the driven roller 9a and caused to rotate so asto pull the thread in the upward direction. It is noted from FIG. 8 thatthe roller 9b and the yarn winding roller 10 are jointly connected by apulley and belt drive so that they rotate in the same direction. Thus onthe movement of the roller 9b into its working mode the yarn windingroller 10 is also caused to operate in and revolve in the direction ofwinding. Positioned next to the carrier arm 41 is a microswitch 44 whichis activated upon the roller 9c reaching its full rewinding position.The switch member 44 passes a signal via the line 45 to the controlmember 40 which then produces a signal to activate the aforementionedsteps.

In FIG. 9 an enlarged representation of the spinning unit 2 with thecontrol mechanism 40 referred to in FIG. 8 is shown. In addition to thesensing and monitoring devices 11 and 11a, the sensing devices 46 and 47are provided to monitor the position of the spinning turbine 8 and thepicker roller 6. These monitoring devices 46 and 47 operate as afunction of the temperature and/or speed of rotation of the pickerroller 6 and the turbine and are provided with a common lead 48 to thecontrol mechanism 40. The circuit of the monitoring devices 46 and 47are arranged such that it will only respond to a predetermined limitingvalue of the temperature and/or speed of the elements being sensed whenthe elements are in their working position or when the sensing device 11has somehow failed in its own operation. The circuit may contain builtin timing delays, cycle counting delays and other techniques so that theindications sensed by the monitoring devices 46 and 47 will notinterfere with the normal operation of the device heretofore described.

The employment of monitoring devices 46 and 47 ensures that,independently of the nature of the thread continuity sensing devicewhich indicates the pressence of a thread, that the control mechanism 40will act to pivot the spinning unit into its intermediate or openposition whenever an unnatural occurrence exists preventing therejoining of the thread. This precludes damage to the elements of thespinning unit by preventing the further fiber feeding into the spinningchamber when the spinning chamber itself is blocked or the picker roller6 is jammed or blocked for example on account of excessive masses offiber. Should this occur, one of the monitoring devices 46 and 47 willpass a signal to the control unit 40 via the lead 48 which will initiatethe pivoting of the housing of the spinning unit 2 so as to place thespinning unit out of action. Through the use of such monitoring devicessafeguard is ensured for every possible fault in the working of thespinning unit and against the damage which may result therefrom. Thecontrol mechanism 40 may have switch relays and time relays which maypermit the rejoining operation to cycle repetitively for a predeterminednumber of times, for instance three times, before it will automaticallyopen and disengage the spinning chamber 8 as described above. Thispermits the device a given number of attempts to be placed back into theworking position and into production operation before the signals sensedby the monitoring devices 46 and 47 will finally put the spinning unitout of operation. When, however, this occurs a corresponding faultsignal will be produced, visible or audible to the operator which willremain functioning until such time as the machine operator removes thecause creating the corresponding fault signal.

As seen from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 9 each of thespinning units 2 is provided with its own control mechanism 25 or 40.However, in order to maintain the costs of construction for an entirebank of a plurality of spinning units as low as possible the machine maybe provided with a single common control unit. Whether or not theindividual or common control unit is employed such a unit as wouldfunction in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 or 8 is diagramaticallyrepresented by the dot dash outline 40 in FIG. 10. As seen in FIG. 10the control mechanism 40 comprises a circuit having at its input ameasuring point scanner 49 or shift register, which is connected acrossa set of corresponding leads 1 through 200 with the inputs taken fromthe thread sensing device 11 and the temperature and speed monitoringdevices 46 and 47 of each of the individual spinning units 2. In thepresent example the circuit 40 is intended to receive signals from 200individual open end spinning units. Each line 1 through 200 representingthe input from a single unit. The scanner 49 scans the connecting leads1 to 200 cyclically in a repetitive manner for the presence of signalsfrom the corresponding sensing and monitoring devices. It will beobvious that in the present specification what is meant by a signal fromthe thread sensing and monitoring devices is one which indicates eithera thread breakage, or an operational fault such as an inordinatetemperature or speed of rotation of the spinning turbine. The repetitivecyclical operation of the scanner 49 is effected through the aid of atiming generator 50 via a first logic circuit 51 and an input line 52connected to the scanner 49. If the measuring point scanner 49 which ismoved cyclically by the pulses of the timing generator 50 intercepts asignal on one of the connecting leads to 200 which indicates the breaking of the thread or an operational fault, the scanner 49 furnishes apulse over the lead 53 back to the logic cir cuit 51. This pulse blocksthe subsequent output of pulses from the pulse generator 50 into thescanning device 49 and the scanning cycle is thus broken and remains inthis state wherein the scanner and the input line 1 through 200 which ithas intercepted in the position at the time of interception.

The measuring point scanner 49 controls, as may be seen from FIG. 10, adecoder 54 which has a plurality of inputs 1 through 200 correspondingin number and line to those in the scanner 49. The decoder 54 is in turnconnected with a second logic circuit 55 and passes to this second logiccircuit the control border or command to connect one of the 200connecting leads 201 to 400 leading to the individual spinning devicescorresponding to those numbered 1 to 200. The logic circuit 55 receivesoutputs 56 through 60.

The pulse passed via the lead 53 from the measuring point scanners 49 tothe first logic circuit 51 moreover results in a signal output from thelogic circuit passing over the output lead 61 to a modulo-S-counter 62which as a result of this counting pulse counts an additional step. Thecounter 62 is connected to a second 1 out of 5 decoder 63 which producesa 1 out of 5 code. In the event of an output signal from the counter 62the 1 out of 5 decoder controls one of the timing elements 64 through68. Each of the timing elements 64 through 68 is connected with one ofthe leads 56 through 60 which has already been indicated to be theinputs to the logic circuit 55 which circuit has the connecting leads201 through 400 at its output. Which one of the leads 56 through 60 isto be connected with which of the output leads 201 to 400 is determinedby the intersection of the signal furnished by the first decoder 54 as afunction of the position of the measuring point scanner 49 and thesignal to the second logic circuit 55 from the input leads 69 to 71. Theinput leads 69 through 71 branch out from the connecting leads betweenthe modulo-S-counter 62 and the second decoder 63.

The timer elements 64 through 68 are in addition connected via leads 72through 77 to a third logic circuit 78, supplies a pulse to an outputlead 79, returning to the first logic circuit 51 as soon as theswitching operations described above have been completed provided thatnot all of the timing elements 64 through 68 have been joined to one ofthe output connecting leads 201 through 400. Through the pulse on lead79 the fjlffii logic circuit 51 is again opened for pulses from the urn=ing element 50 so that the measuring point scannef 49 can now shift overto continue its scanning cycle. In the event of the timing elements 64through 68 have bil connected to one of the output leads 210 through 460through the second logic circuit 55, there would be no point inrestarting the scanning cycle of the scanner 49 and thus the third logiccircuit 78 is not permitted to have an output pulse. The scanner 49continues its cyclical scanning of each of the monitored signals fromeach of the 200 spinning units. If the next intersecting lead determinedby the scanner 49 on which there is present a signal from one of thesensing or monitoring devices, is not the same as that previously foundin the prior cycle (i.e., is from the same spinning unit, the switchingoperations described above in connection with the first, second andthird logic circuits is repeated so that an output command or controlsignal can be produced on any one of 'the outputs 201 through 400. Inthis second operation the counter 62 moves a step forward andconsequently the next one of the timing elements 64 through 68 becomesconnected with the corresponding output of the control lead via thesecond logic circuit 55.

On the other hand, if the scanner 49 meets with a spinning unit that isstill controlled by one of the timing elements 64 through 68 (i.e., thespinning unit is still in the process of its rejoining operation) asignal is supplied by the second logic circuit 55 via a lead 80 back tothe first logic circuit 51 preventing this logic circuit fromfurnishing, via the lead 61 a counting signal to the counter 62. In thismanner reinitiation of the rejoinder operation on an individual spinningunit which has already been activated is prevented and the rejoiningoperation is permitted to continue to its completion withoutinterruption from any subsequent interfering signal.

In the event all of the timing elements 64 through 68 are connected tospinning units via the connecting leads 201 to 400, the third logiccircuit 78 does not provide a signal to reinstitute the cycle of thescanner 49. However, as soon as one of the counting elements 64 through68 become free such a pulse signal is given over lead 79.

As seen from the above description, the common or central controlcircuit provides, with only a small number of timing or control elementscompared to the number of spinning units, in a very economical mannerand by simple and accurate means the possibility of carrying out thecontrol, initiation, maintenance and termination of the rejoinderoperation of any one of the individual units of the textile spinningmachine, from the moment when the thread snaps or breaks until that timein which the spinning device is again ready for further joining of thethread. It must be understood that the circuit described above is to beonly regarded as a practical example and an illustration only. Variousmodifications, changes and additions can be made by the technician andthe specific elements chosen. The control circuits may be suitablyconstructed of only mechanical relays or of only electrical componentsor on the other hand with a combination of both relays and electricalcomponents of both mechanical solid state and vacuum tube design. Itmust be furthermore pointed out that with the use of a common or centralcontrol unit, as has been described in detail above the outlay oncircuitry is comparatively low. The result of which is that only oneopen ended spinning unit or a limited number of open ended spinningunits can be prepared simultaneously for rejoining since the operationof the scanner 49 is inhibited as soon as a monitoring signal isintercepted. This is not however a drawback from the point of view ofthe operator since only one operator is engaged in supervising a singletextile spinning machine who in any case has to join the open endedspinning devices in turn or when only a single rejoining mechanism,travelling up and down along the machine, is provided. The presentcircuit provides an integrated repetition circuit which brings about arepeated signal for the rejoinder operation cycle until the rejoininghas been effected. In any event, the spinning unit in which a thread isbroken is retained out of order while a fault signal is continuallyfurnished, untilthe fault is removed and the rejoinder operationcompleted.

Various changes, modifications and additions may be made to the presentinvention, particularly in the nature of the individual control elementsand their switching means, and their arrangement within the spinningmachine or the spinning units. Furthermore, as regards the choice of theindividual sensing and monitoring elements and their arrangement andwiring these may also take many forms. The tactile or feeler type aswell as the photocell type have been disclosed herein. Other types willbe available to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intendedthat the present disclosure be taken as illustrative only and notlimiting of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The method for initiating the rejoinder of a broken a winding devicecomprising the steps of simultaneously sensing the continuity of thewithdrawn thread and the operation of each of said picker mechanism andturbine, said sensing means providing signals on interruption of saidthread and on sensing a fault in the operation of said picker mechanismand turbine, providing a control mechanism responsive to each of saidsignals for establishing a predetermined sequence of operation of saidspinning unit, causing said control unit on receipt of a signal to shiftthe turbine from a working position into a position where spinning isarrested and said thread is broken and to thereafter initiate therejoinder operation and maintain said operation for a predetermined timeinterval to complete said sequence.

2. The method of controlling the rejoinder operation of a plurality ofspinning units according to claim 1 in cluding the steps of providingsaid control mechanism with means for receiving said signals from eachof said units and means for controlling the operation of each of saidunits individually, cyclically scanning said receiving means for saidsignals and initiating and maintaining said sequence of operation forrejoinder.

3. An open end spinning machine comprising frame, a housing pivotallymounted on said frame having means for automatically moving said housingbetween a closed working position and at least a partially openposition, a spinning unit located in said frame comprising a rotatableturbine and a rotatable means for feeding fibers to said turbine to bespun into a continuous thread, a tangential belt drive means mounted onsaid frame for rotating each of said turbine and feed means, saidturbine and said feed means having a drive shaft extending therefromengageable and disengageable with said belt drive means on closing andat least partially opening of said housing with respect to said frame,means for sensing the continuity of said spun thread, means for sensinga fault in the operation of each of said turbine and feed means, saidsensing means respectively producing a continuity of signals oninterruption of said spun thread, and a fault signal on determining afault in said turbine and on determining a fault in said feed means,control means responsive to each of said signals to actuate said meansfor moving said housing to disengage the shaft of said turbine and feedmeans from said tangential belt to interrupt the spinning of saidfibers.

4. The machine according to claim 3 wherein said sensing means for saidturbine and feed means is responsive to predetermined levels in speed ofrotation and the temperature of said turbine and feed means.

5. The machine according to claim 3 including means for withdrawing saidspun thread from said spinning unit, said control means being operableafter interruption of the spinning of said fibers, to cause said meansfor withdrawing said thread to reverse the thread, and to actuate saidmeans for moving said housing to close said housing with respect to saidframe and thus cause the shafts of said turbine and feed means to engagesaid tangential belt and effect rejoinder of said thread with the spunthread.

6. The machine according to claim 3 including circuit means for feedingthe continuity signal to said control means in priority to the faultsignal.

7. The machine according to claim 3 including spring means for normallybiasing said housing in closed condition.

8. The machine according to claim 7 including a cover secured to saidhousing over said turbine and feed means and conjointly movabletherewith.

9. The machine according to claim 7 wherein said cover is pivotablyhinged with respect to the housing and includes a coupling connectingsaid housing and cover, said coupling having means causing pivoting ofsaid housing with respect to said frame to engage and disengage saidturbine with the tangential belt on corresponding pivoting of saidcover.

10. The machine according to claim 3 including switch means actuable onmovement of said housing to the open position producing a signalresponsive thereto and means for feeding said signal to said controlmeans for terminating operation of said machine.

11. A spindleless spinning machine assembly comprising a plurality ofspinning machines according to claim 3, wherein said control means iscommon to all said spinning units, said control means having means forreceiving said signals from each of said spinning units, including atiming network, switch means and indicating devices associated with eachspinning unit which in response to a given signal initially disengagethe corresponding turbine from its 'drive means and initiate, effect andterminate in a predetermined sequence of operation of the correspondingspinning unit to effect rejoinder of said thread on receipt of saidsignal.

12. The machine according to claim 10 wherein said control mechanismincludes a number of set timing networks, switch means, and indicatingdevices corresponding to the number of spinning units connectedsimultaneously thereto, and means for integrating each of said sets toselectively control the operation of several units simultaneously.

13. The machine according to claim 11 wherein said control mechanismincludes a measuring point scanner, means connecting the output signalof said spinning unit individually to said scanner, said scannercyclically scanning each of said output signals as a function of atiming pulse and producing a scanned output signal, a timer forproducing said timing pulse, logic circuits responsive to the scannedoutput signal for interrupting the continued scanning of said measuringpoint scanner and for initiating the operation of series of timingrelays and switch devices for performing the rejoinder operation of thecorrespondingly spinning unit from which said signal is derived.

14. The machine according to claim 12 wherein said logic circuitincluding means for preventing subsequent output signals'from a givenspinning unit from being scanned by said measuring point scanner duringthe rejoinder operation initiated by a previous output signal.

15. The machine according to claim 13 including means for interruptingthe scanning of said measuring point scanner in the event apredetermined number of spinning units are subject to a rejoinderoperation.

PATENT NO. 3 879 9.26 DATED Aprll 29, 1975 INVENTOR(S) GERHARD BARTLINGand MICHAEL VON RONAL- HORVATH It rs certrtred that error appears 1n theab0ve-|dent|fred patent and that sard Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [75] the name and address of the inventors shouldread GERHARD BARTLING, Burgstetten; MICHAEL VON RONAI-HORVATH,Ludwigsburg; Germany Signed and Sealed this A flex 1.

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN (mnnu'ssinm'r uflate'msand Trademarks

1. The method for initiating the rejoinder of a broken thread in an openend spinning unit in which the thread is formed from fibers fed by apicker mechanism to a rotating spinning turbine and withdrawn therefromto a winding device comprising the steps of simultaneously sensing thecontinuity of the withdrawn thread and the operation of each of saidpicker mechanism and turbine, said sensing means providing signals oninterruption of said thread and on sensing a fault in the operation ofsaid picker mechanism and turbine, providing a control mechanismresponsive to each of said signals for establishing a predeterminedsequence of operation of said spinning unit, causing said control uniton receipt of a signal to shift the turbine from a working position intoa position where spinning is arrested and said thread is broken and tothereafter initiate the rejoinder operation and maintain said operationfor a predetermined time interval to complete said sequence.
 2. Themethod of controlling the rejoinder operation of a plurality of spinningunits according to claim 1 including the steps of providing said controlmechanism with means for receiving said signals from each of said unitsand means for controlling the operation of each of said unitsindividually, cyclically scanning said receiving means for said signalsand initiating and maintaining said sequence of operation for rejoinder.3. An open end spinning machine comprising frame, a housing pivotallymounted on said frame having means for automatically moving said housingbetween a closed working position and at least a partially openposition, a spinning unit located in said frame comprising a rotatableturbine and a rotatable means for feeding fibers to said turbine to bespun into a continuous thread, a tangential belt drive means mounted onsaid frame for rotating each of said turbine and feed means, saidturbine and said feed means having a drive shaft extending therefromengageable and disengageable with said belt drive means on closing andat least partially opening of said housing with respect to said frame,means for sensing the continuity of said spun thread, means for sensinga fault in the operation of each of said turbine and feed means, saidsensing means respectively producing a continuity of signals oninterruption of said spun thread, and a fault signal on determining afault in said turbine and on determining a fault in said feed means,control means responsive to each of said signals to actuate said meansfor moving said housing to disengage the shaft of said turbine and feedmeans from said tangential belt to interrupt the spinning of saidfibers.
 4. The machine according to claim 3 wherein said sensing meansfor said turbine and feed means is responsive to predetermined levels inspeed of rotation and the temperature of said turbine and feed means. 5.The machine according to claim 3 including means for withdrawing saidspun thread from said spinning unit, said control means being operableafter interruption of the spinning of said fibers, to cause said meansfor withdrawing saId thread to reverse the thread, and to actuate saidmeans for moving said housing to close said housing with respect to saidframe and thus cause the shafts of said turbine and feed means to engagesaid tangential belt and effect rejoinder of said thread with the spunthread.
 6. The machine according to claim 3 including circuit means forfeeding the continuity signal to said control means in priority to thefault signal.
 7. The machine according to claim 3 including spring meansfor normally biasing said housing in closed condition.
 8. The machineaccording to claim 7 including a cover secured to said housing over saidturbine and feed means and conjointly movable therewith.
 9. The machineaccording to claim 7 wherein said cover is pivotably hinged with respectto the housing and includes a coupling connecting said housing andcover, said coupling having means causing pivoting of said housing withrespect to said frame to engage and disengage said turbine with thetangential belt on corresponding pivoting of said cover.
 10. The machineaccording to claim 3 including switch means actuable on movement of saidhousing to the open position producing a signal responsive thereto andmeans for feeding said signal to said control means for terminatingoperation of said machine.
 11. A spindleless spinning machine assemblycomprising a plurality of spinning machines according to claim 3,wherein said control means is common to all said spinning units, saidcontrol means having means for receiving said signals from each of saidspinning units, including a timing network, switch means and indicatingdevices associated with each spinning unit which in response to a givensignal initially disengage the corresponding turbine from its drivemeans and initiate, effect and terminate in a predetermined sequence ofoperation of the corresponding spinning unit to effect rejoinder of saidthread on receipt of said signal.
 12. The machine according to claim 10wherein said control mechanism includes a number of set timing networks,switch means, and indicating devices corresponding to the number ofspinning units connected simultaneously thereto, and means forintegrating each of said sets to selectively control the operation ofseveral units simultaneously.
 13. The machine according to claim 11wherein said control mechanism includes a measuring point scanner, meansconnecting the output signal of said spinning unit individually to saidscanner, said scanner cyclically scanning each of said output signals asa function of a timing pulse and producing a scanned output signal, atimer for producing said timing pulse, logic circuits responsive to thescanned output signal for interrupting the continued scanning of saidmeasuring point scanner and for initiating the operation of series oftiming relays and switch devices for performing the rejoinder operationof the correspondingly spinning unit from which said signal is derived.14. The machine according to claim 12 wherein said logic circuitincluding means for preventing subsequent output signals from a givenspinning unit from being scanned by said measuring point scanner duringthe rejoinder operation initiated by a previous output signal.
 15. Themachine according to claim 13 including means for interrupting thescanning of said measuring point scanner in the event a predeterminednumber of spinning units are subject to a rejoinder operation.